there is the fiscal cliff to consider. >>> now let's turn to japan. the jobless rate in october remained flat compared to the previous month. the internal affairs ministry said unemployment stayed at 4 4.2%. officials at the labor ministry say the ratio of job vacancies to seekers declined. it says 80 positions were open for every 100 job seekers. the industrial output posted an increase in october for the first time in four months. the index stood at 88.1 against a reference value of 1205. this was due to increases in the electronic parts and devices industry as well add the fabricated metal sector. now let's get a check on markets. japanese prices are trading in a modest range. the nikkei is at 9,427. investors are placing buy orders after the dow jones industrial average recovered to the 13,000 level. there's some profit taking here in tokyo following the recent events. let's take a look at the currency markets. the dollar is trading in a narrow range this friday morning. market sources say traders are refraining from aggressive moves as they wait